Why can't I receive my mail at my P.O. Box? Ongoing struggle!?

Question

Up until last year I did not have a problem. Some of my mail had my physical address, and some my mailing address. My post office began stamping my physically addressed mail with a red "incorrect address" stamp. They will now often return the mail to the sender. I have been fighting with banks and credit offices to change my current physical address to my p.o. box. They will not send my bills or credit cards to my p.o. box! Because of this much of my mail is rerouted back to the business. I am being penalized with late fees because of this now. I have cancelled many of the cards, however I'm still having a rough time with my bank. I have been approved for loans, but when they send me the check it gets returned back to the bank. They will not accept I have a p.o. box, therefore I have had to cancel my approved loans. They cite that it's because of the "Patriot Act." I've tried to research this but I don't see where it says I don't have the right to get my mail at my address. Help!

Answer 1

Unfortunately many people are going through what you are.

The banks hands are tied by the Patriot Act (Section 326) where they have to have a physical address and not a P.O. box number.

As for your post office returning mail that is addressed with your physical address, you should speak with the postmaster about it.

If you get nowhere with the postmaster you might file a complaint about your post office returning street addressed mail with the postmaster general. (John E. Potter
Postmaster General & Chief Executive Officer)

Answer 2

I don't understand what the Patriot Act has to do with you receiving your mail in you P.O. Box. Do you have a mail box outside your house or on your house? The post office considers this your physical address and they will not leave mail if you do not have a mail box.
Can you go directly to your bank and pick up the loan check you've been approved for? Maybe your street address was reorganized and you now have a new number. You will have to go the the post office directly and demand to speak to the supervior and have them finally figure out what's going on. There has to be a sane reason why you're not receiving your mail.